Beverage Packaging Configuration with a Short Fill Level for Mixed Drinks

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a beverage packaging configuration whereby mix and base beverages are packaged in a single package, and the base beverage containers are not filled completely with the base beverage. The space within each base beverage container remaining above the base beverage volume provides space in the base container for the correct proportion of at least one mix beverage to be poured into the base beverage container to create a reproducible mixed drink. One exemplary embodiment provides for a single mix beverage container which contains a volume of mix beverage equally divisible between the volume remaining in a plurality of base beverage containers. Another exemplary embodiment includes more than one mix beverage container which may contain different mix beverages. This invention removes the necessity of transporting a dispensing apparatus, such as a shot glass or volumetric dispenser or measuring glass, and also removes the need for a separate cup or glass in which to mix the base and mix beverages together, as provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,781.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the packaging of beverage containers,and in particular to the packaging of multiple beverage containers in asingle package, such as alcohol and base beverage, wherein the differentbeverages are packaged separately, to be mixed together and consumed asa reproducible mixed drink.

BACKGROUND

It is known at the present time to package, sell, and store beveragescontainers as used in the invention herein. The field of relevant of artincludes the packaging of alcoholic beverages, carbonated beverages,natural fruit drinks, and other drinks that may or may not be carbonatedor perishable. Also relevant to this invention is the packaging andstorage of multiple beverages and the transporting of those beveragestogether. Consumers of mixed drinks commonly purchase two or more itemsseparately, such as a 2 L bottle of cola and a 750 mL bottle of liquor,transport the separate items in separate packages, and then consume thebeverages either separately or mixed. When making a mixed drink, theconsumer mixes the beverages according to taste, and may or may notcreate the correct mixed ratio of beverages to create the mixed drink.U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,781, issued May 22, 2012, describes a singlepackaging configuration for multiple mixed drinks along with avolumetric dispenser to proportionally distribute the mix beverage to beconsumed with the base beverage in a reproducible mixed drink. Thatinvention also helped to avoid loss of carbonation and the spoiling ofperishable beverages that can occur when a consumer purchases largequantities of beverages to combine and make several mixed drinks. A basebeverage that is carbonated will eventually lose carbonation if notconsumed immediately, and a base beverage that is perishable willeventually spoil.

As described in that patent, it is relevant to the invention thatbeverages be packaged and stored separately in separate containers, andthen mixed at a later time. U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,781 is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. The present inventionincludes aspects of the configuration of U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,781,including: the duplication of a mixed-drink experience; the materialsused for the package that houses the individual beverage modules; thevarious possible numbers of base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainers.

Other inventions, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,368, issued Jan. 18, 2005,describe a device for introducing a pre-determined dose of additive,such as a second liquid, into a packaged first liquid. U.S. Pat. No.6,843,368 discusses two containers designed to hold different beveragesor substances for mixing together to create a mixed drink; however, thatinvention discloses the second beverage container positioned within thefirst beverage container. Inventions, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,368,illustrate the importance of creating a reproducible mixed beverage onthe go.

The present invention is a useful and convenient improvement over U.S.Pat. No. 8,181,781, because it does not require the use of a volumetricdispenser to proportionally distribute the mix beverage to create areproducible mixed drink and it allows for more than one mix beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a beverage packaging configuration whereby mix andbase beverages are packaged in a single package, and the base beveragecontainers are not filled completely with the base beverage. The spacewithin each base beverage container remaining above the base beveragevolume provides space in the base container for the correct proportionof the mix beverage or mix beverages to be poured into the base beveragecontainer to create a reproducible mixed drink. One exemplary embodimentprovides for a single mix beverage container which contains a volume ofmix beverage equally divisible between the volume remaining in aplurality of base beverage containers. Another exemplary embodimentincludes a plurality of mix beverage containers which may containdifferent mix beverages. The mix beverage containers can be differentsizes and contain different mix beverages from the other mix beveragecontainer or containers, so long as each mix beverage is substantiallyproportionally distributed among the base beverage containers to createa reproducible mixed drink.

This invention removes the necessity of transporting a dispensingapparatus, such as a shot glass or volumetric dispenser or measuringglass, and also removes the need for a separate cup or glass in which tomix the base and mix beverages together, as provided in U.S. Pat. No.8,181,781. Furthermore, where the mix beverage containers vary involume, the volumetric dispenser disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,781would not allow for proper measurement and distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing anexterior view of the package.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a top perspectiveview into the interior of the package.

FIG. 3 a is a first illustration of an embodiment of the shapes of thebase and mix beverage containers for use in the inventive configuration.

FIG. 3 b is a second illustration of an embodiment of the shapes of thebase and mix beverage containers for use in the inventive configuration.

FIG. 4 a illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 in their initial state, beforeany mixing of the mix beverage and the base beverage has taken place.

FIG. 4 b illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first base beverage container.

FIG. 4 c illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first and second base beverage containers.

FIG. 4 d illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first, second, and third base beverage containers.

FIG. 4 e illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first, second, third, and fourth base beverage containers.

FIG. 5 a is a first illustration of a second embodiment of base and mixbeverage containers for use in the inventive configuration.

FIG. 5 b is a second illustration of the second embodiment of FIG. 5 aafter adding mix beverage to the first base beverage container.

FIG. 6 a is a first illustration of a third embodiment of base and mixbeverage containers for use in the inventive configuration.

FIG. 6 b is a second illustration of the third embodiment of FIG. 6 aafter adding mix beverage from the first mix beverage into the secondmix beverage container.

FIG. 6 c is a third illustration of the third embodiment of FIG. 6 aafter adding mix beverage from the second mix beverage container intothe first base beverage container.

FIG. 6 d is a fourth illustration of the third embodiment of FIG. 6 aafter adding mix beverage from the second mix beverage container into tothe first, second, and third base beverage containers.

FIG. 7 a is a first illustration of a fourth embodiment of base and mixbeverage containers for use in the inventive configuration.

FIG. 7 b is a second illustration of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 7 aafter adding mix beverage from the first mix beverage container to thefirst base beverage container.

FIG. 7 c is a third illustration of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 7 aafter adding mix beverage from the first and second mix beveragecontainers to the first base beverage container.

FIG. 7 d is a fourth illustration of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 7 aafter adding mix beverage from the first and second mix beveragecontainers to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth base beveragecontainers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing anexterior view of package 100. Note that in the embodiment used toillustrate the invention, there are four base beverage containers 105,and one mix beverage container 110. These numbers are exemplary and notlimiting, other numbers of base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainers may be used. Note that in the embodiment used to illustratethe invention, external packaging 115 substantially encloses the basebeverage containers and mix beverage containers, although container tops120 may optionally protrude through openings 125 in packaging 115.Packaging 115 not only provides convenience in transporting groups ofbeverage containers, but also holds the containers substantiallyimmobile within package 100, thus reducing the risk of breakage. Thisexternal packaging is exemplary and not limiting, other types ofpackaging can be used that hold the beverage containers together,including, by way of example, boxes, cardboard boxes, carriers, trays,shrinkwrap, plastic rings, clear plastic containers, or any othermaterial used to hold the beverage containers together.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a top perspectiveview of a portion of the interior of package 100. In this embodiment,four base beverage containers 105 are arranged around mix beveragecontainer 110. The containers are shaped so as to permit a close packedconfiguration, where mix beverage container 110 fits into the spacebetween the four base beverage containers 105. An embodiment of theshapes of the base and mix beverage containers is illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3 b. In this embodiment, mix beverage container 110 has indentedregions 305 on each face, and protruding regions 310 at each corner.Base beverage containers 105 have convex sides 315, and are larger attop edge 320 than at bottom edge 325. Convex sides 315 of base beveragecontainers 105 fit into indented regions 305 of mix beverage container110. Protruding regions 310 of mix beverage container 110 fit intospaces between bottom portions 330 of base beverage containers 105. Notethat, depending on the sizes and numbers of base beverage containers andmix beverage containers, their shapes may be different than in theembodiment shown. For example, a packaging container may have one mixbeverage and five base beverages. The invention is not limited tobeverage containers that fit together. The mix and base beverages may bein standard-shaped bottles or cans, or other shaped containers, so longas they are packaged together as a packed configuration. A package maybe rectangular or other shape. The packaging materials may be rigid,such as cardboard, aluminum, or hard plastic, or may be flexible, suchas paper, a plastic-wrap, plastic rings, or other materials that couldhold the beverages together.

The close-packed configuration as described above has the advantage ofresulting in a smaller footprint for the package, but other embodimentsare possible that do not fill the space as completely. A possibleadvantage of such other embodiments would be to have standard containershapes, in contrast to the unique specialized shapes of the embodimentof FIGS. 1-3, which would likely need to be custom manufactured. Anotherpossible advantage to a standard packaging shape is the ease ofplacement in standardized store shelving units, as well as duringtravel, whereby the standardized package sizes may best utilize thespace used for shelving, storage, or travel.

FIGS. 4 a-4 e show the different stages of usage of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3. Note that the specifics of the usage are dependent on therelative volumes of the base beverage containers, the volume of eachbase beverage within each base beverage container, and the volume of themix beverage, as well as the numbers of base beverage containers and mixbeverage containers. The inventive configuration requires that the totalvolume of mix beverage in the mix beverage container(s) is selected sothat it is substantially equally divided by the number of base beveragecontainers to fill the space within the base beverage containers betweenthe base beverage top surface 425 (also termed the “short fill” surface)and a top fill surface 427, so as to provide the desired proportions fora plurality of mixed drinks within the base beverage containers from thebase beverages and the at least one mix beverage. The mix beverage isdistributed equally to the base beverage containers so as to be consumedwith the base beverage in a reproducible mixed drink without requiring avolumetric dispenser or a separate cup or container in which to mix thebeverages together to create the mixed drinksFor example, if a mixeddrink were composed of one part mix beverage to four parts base beverageand the volume of each base beverage container is equal to the volume ofthe mix beverage container, a possible packaging configurationcontaining six total beverage containers would be to combine one mixbeverage container with five base beverage containers, whereby each basebeverage container would be filled with base beverage volumeapproximately ⅘ of the way, and the user would pour ⅕ of the mixbeverage volume from the mix beverage container into each of the fivebase beverage containers. These numbers and relative volumes would bemodified according to the desired proportions of mix beverage and basebeverage. Using the aforementioned example of one mix and five basebeverage containers, if the mix beverage container is smaller, then thespace within each base beverage container remaining above the basebeverage volume will be smaller. The packaging configuration couldcontain more than one type of base beverage. For example, the mixbeverage could be rum, while the base beverages could be types of sodas,such as cola and diet cola.

FIG. 4 a illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 in their initial state, beforeany mixing of the mix beverage and the base beverage has taken place.Mix beverage container 400 is full with mix beverage in this embodiment.The mix beverage is indicated by lines up-and-down. Base beveragecontainers 405, 410, 415, and 420 are each filled up to short fill level425 (which may be marked with a short fill line or other marking on thecontainer but a physical line, mark, indent, or demarcation is notrequired and not shown in FIG. 4), leaving region 430 between short filllevel 425 and top fill boundary 427 (which may be marked with a top fillline or other indicator on the container) unfilled. The base beverage isindicated by lines side-to-side. The marking can be a line, mark, indentor demarcation or other indication to indicate how much mix beverage topour into each base beverage container to make a reproducible mixeddrink. A marking is not required. An alternative to marking the basebeverage is to add a marking to the mix beverage container. This isillustrated in FIG. 4. A further alternative to marking the basebeverage container or mix beverage container, when there is more thanone mix beverage, is to have a first mix beverage container not filledto the top with space remaining for the other mix beverage(s) to bepoured into the first mix beverage container, referred to herein as aregion, and mixed together to ensure the correct proportions prior tobeing poured into the base beverage containers. This alternative isillustrated in FIG. 6

The top fill boundary in the base beverage container represents thesurface within the container corresponding to the top of the filledvolume once the mix beverage has been added to the base beverage. Notethat for this configuration shown in 4 a, the volume of mix beveragewithin the mix beverage container 400 is four times the volume of region430 which correlates to the number of base beverage containers. If thereare five base beverage containers, then the volume of mix beveragewithin the mix beverage container 400 will be five times the volume ofregion 430. Also note that top fill boundary 427 may correspond with thetop 435 of base beverage containers, as shown in FIG. 5 a, or it may belower than top 435.

FIG. 4 b illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first base beverage container 405. The mixed drink in the first basebeverage container is indicated by lines up-and-down and linesside-to-side. Base beverage container 405 is now filled to top fillboundary 427, and mix beverage container is filled to level 440. Theremay be a line on the mix beverage container corresponding to level 440to indicate how much mix beverage to pour into each base beveragecontainer, but this is not necessary. A line is not required if top fillboundary 427 corresponds with top 435 of base beverage containers or ifthe top fill boundary 427 has a marking to indicate how much mixbeverage to pour into each base beverage container. In some embodimentsthe mix beverage is simply poured until the base beverage containers arecompletely full, and the ratio of base beverage to mix beverage isautomatically correct. Alternately it may not be necessary to have aline on the mix beverage container is there is a top fill marking on thebase beverage containers corresponding to the top fill boundary. Theregion 450 between the surface corresponding to level 440, and top 445has a volume equal to the volume of region 430 of base beveragecontainer. Note that in this configuration mix beverage container iscomprised of four volumetric regions 450, 455, 460, and 465, each ofwhich has a volume equal to the volume of region 430. Note that thenumbers and volumes of the equal volumetric regions of the mix beveragecontainer depend on the number of mix beverage containers and basebeverage containers, the volume of mix beverage and base beverage withineach container, and the desired proportions of mix beverage and basebeverage.

FIG. 4 c illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first and second base beverage containers 405 and 410. Base beveragecontainers 405 and 410 are now filled to top fill boundaries 427, andmix beverage container is filled to level 470.

FIG. 4 d illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first, second, and third base beverage containers 405, 410, and 415.Base beverage containers 405, 410, and 415 are now filled to top fillboundaries 427, and mix beverage container is filled to level 475.

FIG. 4 e illustrates the base beverage containers and mix beveragecontainer of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 after adding mix beverage tothe first, second, third, and fourth base beverage containers 405, 410,415, and 420. Base beverage containers 405, 410, 415, and 420 are nowfilled to top fill boundaries 427, and mix beverage container 400contains no mix beverage. All four base beverage containers now containa mixed drink, as indicated by lines up-and-down and lines side-to-side.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a second embodiment of base and mix beveragecontainers for use in the inventive configuration, whereby there is onemix beverage container 500 and two base beverage containers 505, 510.The mix beverage is indicated by lines up-and-down. Base beveragecontainers 505, 510 are each filled up to short fill level 555 (whichmay be marked with a short fill line or marking, but a marking is notrequired), leaving region 550 between short fill level 555 and top fillboundary 527 (which may be marked with a top fill line or otherindicator on the container) unfilled. The base beverage is indicated bylines side-to-side. In this embodiment, there are no markings on any ofthe mix beverage containers and base beverage containers.

FIG. 5 b is a second illustration of the second embodiment of FIG. 5 aafter adding mix beverage from the mix beverage container 500 to thefirst base beverage container 505. The mixed drink in the first basebeverage container is indicated by lines up-and-down and linesside-to-side. In this embodiment, the fill boundary 527 of the basebeverage containers 505, 510 corresponds with the top 535 of the basebeverage containers. Note that for this configuration, the volume of mixbeverage within the mix beverage container 500 is two times the volumeof region 530 which correlates to the number of base beverage containers505, 510.

FIG. 6 a illustrates a third embodiment of base and mix beveragecontainers for use in the inventive configuration, whereby there are twomix beverage containers 600 601 and six base beverage containers 605,610, 615, 620, 625, 630. This embodiment illustrates an example of apackage that contains more than one mix beverage container 600 601 thatare poured into the base beverage containers, without requiring amarking on any of the mix beverage containers or base beveragecontainers 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630. As shown in FIGS. 6 b-6 d, thefirst mix beverage 602 is simply poured from the first mix beveragecontainer 601 into the second mix beverage container 600 so that theratio of the first mix beverage to the second mix beverage isautomatically correct, before the mixture of mix beverages is pouredinto each of the base beverage containers 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630to create a proportional and reproducible mixed drink without requiringany markings for measuring.

The mix beverage is indicated by lines up-and-down. This embodimentillustrates that there can be more than one mix beverage container inthe packaging configuration, and that there need not be any markings onany of the beverage containers to indicate how much of each beverageshould be in each mixed drink. Base beverage containers 605, 610, 615,620, 625, 630 are each filled up to short fill level 655 (which may bemarked with a short fill line or marking, but a marking is notrequired), leaving region 640 between short fill level 655 and top fillboundary 627 (which may be marked with a top fill line or otherindicator on the container) unfilled. The base beverage is indicated bylines side-to-side. In this embodiment, the mix beverage containers aredifferent sizes, with the first mix beverage container 601 being smallerthan the second mix beverage container 600. The mix beverage containersmay be the same size or different sizes, and the mix beverage containersmay contain the same mix beverage or different mix beverages.

In this embodiment, the first mix beverage container 601 is full, asindicated by the lines diagonal, and the second mix beverage container600 is not full, as indicated by the lines up-and-down. In thisembodiment, the second mix beverage is not filled all the way to the topof the mix beverage container 607 or to the mix beverage container topfill boundary 606. The mix beverage container top fill boundary 606 maybe at the top of the mix beverage container 607 or at some point lower.The second mix beverage is filled to a mix beverage short-fill level603. The region 604 between the mix beverage short-fill level 603 andthe mix beverage top fill boundary 606 is equal to the amount of mixbeverage 602 in the first mix beverage container 601. The number of mixbeverage containers and different mix beverages is not limited to two.There can be three or more mix beverage containers. For example, a mixeddrink called a “Long Island Iced Tea” contains several mix beverages,such as vodka, gin, tequila, and rum. Depending on the recipe of themixed drink, the short fill level may be lower and the correspondingvolume of base beverage within the base beverage container may be less.A lower short fill level would provide more room in the base beveragecontainer for the mix beverages to be poured in. If there are more thantwo mix beverage containers, then the region 604 within the second mixbeverage container may be equal to the total volume of mix beverage inthe remaining mix beverage containers.

FIG. 6 b is a second illustration of the third embodiment of FIG. 6 aafter adding mix beverage from the first mix beverage container 601 intothe second mix beverage container. This mixture of first and second mixbeverages is indicated by lines diagonal and lines up-and-down in thesecond mix beverage container 600.

FIG. 6 c is a third illustration of the third embodiment of FIG. 6 a 600to the first base beverage container 605. In this embodiment, the basebeverage fill boundary 627 corresponds with the top 635 of the basebeverage containers. This mixed drink is indicated by lines diagonal,lines side-to-side, and lines up-and-down in the first base beveragecontainer 605.

FIG. 6 d is a fourth illustration of the third embodiment of FIG. 6 aafter adding mix beverage from the first and second mix beveragecontainers 600 601 to the first, second, and third base beveragecontainers 605, 610, 615. Note that for this configuration, the volumeof mix beverage within the mix beverage container 600 is six times thevolume of region 640 which correlates to the number of base beveragecontainers 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630. These mixed drinks areindicated by lines diagonal, lines side-to-side, and lines up-and-downin the first, second, and third base beverage containers 605, 610, 615.

FIG. 7 a illustrates a fourth embodiment of base and mix beveragecontainers for use in the inventive configuration, whereby there are twomix beverage containers 700, 701 which may contain different mixbeverages, and six base beverage containers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725,730. The base beverage is indicated by lines side-to-side. The first mixbeverage container 701 is full, as indicated by the lines diagonal. Thesecond mix beverage container 700 is full, as indicated by the linesup-and-down. This embodiment is another example of having more than onemix beverage container in the packaging configuration. The mix beveragecontainers can be different sizes and contain different mix beveragesfrom the other mix beverage container or containers, so long as each mixbeverage is substantially proportionally distributed among the basebeverage containers to create a reproducible mixed drink. For example,if there are five base beverage containers and two mix beveragecontainers, the first being a 200 mL bottle of one liquor and the secondbeing a 100 mL bottle of a cream liqueur, then each base beveragecontainer will have room so that the consumer can pour 40 mL from thefirst bottle of liquor and 20 mL from the second bottle of cream liqueurinto each base beverage container to mix with the base beverage tocreate a reproducible mixed drink. In this example, 60 mL of volumeremains in the base beverage container above the base beverage. The 200mL of the first mix beverage is divided substantially equally betweenthe five base beverages (40 mL), and the 100 mL of the second mixbeverage is divided substantially equally between the five basebeverages (20 mL). Another example of a mixed drink with more than onemix beverage is known as an “Irish Car Bomb;” this drink contains a basebeverage of beer, such as a Guinness® Irish stout, and two mixbeverages: one of whiskey, such as Jamesons® Irish whiskey, and one ofcream liquor, such as Baileys® Irish Cream. In this example, both mixbeverages (the whiskey and cream liquor) are poured into a base beveragecontainer of beer, and then consumed as a mixed drink within the basebeverage container. It is common for the three beverages to be combinedby dropping a shot glass of whiskey and cream liqueur into a glass ofbeer. However, in this packaging configuration, the beverages could bemixed together within the base beverage containers. Other embodimentsmay only have a single mix beverage, while other embodiments may havetwo or more mix beverage containers containing the same type andquantity of mix beverage. For example, one package may include two mixbeverage containers, each of which contains the same volume of liquor.The mix beverage containers do not have to be the same size as the othermix beverage containers or hold the same volume of mix beverage.

The mix beverage containers can contain various alcoholic ornon-alcoholic beverages, carbonated or non-carbonated beverages. Basebeverage containers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, 730 are each filled up toshort fill level 755 (which may be marked with a short fill line ormarking, but a marking is not required), leaving at least two regions740 and 741 between short fill level 755 and top fill boundary 727(which may be marked with a top fill line or other indicator on thecontainer) unfilled. The base beverage is indicated by linesside-to-side. The top fill boundary 727 may be at the top of the basebeverage container 735 or it may be lower. The level between the tworegions 740 and 741 may be marked with a measurement line 743, amarking, or other indicator on the container to indicate the end of oneregion 740 and the beginning of another region 741, but a physical lineor marking is not required on the base beverage container, so long asthere is another means for measuring the amount of mix beverage to bepoured from each mix beverage container into the base beveragecontainer, such as a line or marking or other indicator on at least oneof the mix beverage containers 700, 701. In this embodiment, the mixbeverage containers do not contain the same volume. The mix beverage inthe first mix beverage container 701 is indicated by diagonal lines,while the mix beverage in the second container 700 is indicated by linesup-and-down.

The mix beverage containers 700 701 do not have to have the same volume,nor contain the same mix beverage. For example, in this embodiment,assuming the first mix beverage container 701 is smaller and contains 60mL of first mix beverage, then the first region 740 between the shortfill level 755 and the measurement line 743 would contain 10 mL of thatfirst mix beverage—so that the 60 mL first mix beverage container 700was substantially equally distributed between the six base beveragecontainers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, and 730. Further in this example, ifthe second mix beverage container 701 was larger and contained 300 mL ofa second mix beverage, then the second region 741 between themeasurement line 743 and the top fill boundary 727 would contain 50 mLof that second mix beverage, so that the 300 mL second mix beveragecontainer 700 was substantially equally distributed between the six basebeverage containers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, and 730. The top fillboundary 727 may be at the top 735 of the base beverage container or itmay be lower. The total volume of mix beverage from the mix beveragecontainers 700 and 701 is substantially equivalent to the total volumeof the at least two regions 740 and 741 between short fill level 755 andtop fill boundary 727 of the plurality of base beverage containers 705,710, 715, 720, 725, and 730. Using the above example, the volume of theat least two regions 740 and 741 of the base beverage containers wouldbe 60 mL for each of the six base beverage containers. In that example,the total volume of the at least two regions 740 and 741 for the sixbase beverages combined would be 360 mL, which is equal to the volume ofthe first mix beverage container 700 (60 mL) plus the volume of thesecond mix beverage container 700 (300 mL).

FIG. 7 b is a second illustration of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 7 aafter adding mix beverage from the first mix beverage container 701 tothe first base beverage container 705. In this embodiment, first mixbeverage (indicated by lines diagonal) is poured into the first basebeverage 705, mixing with the base beverage (indicated by linesside-to-side) until the mixture of first mix beverage and base beverage(indicated by lines diagonal and lines side-to-side) fills the firstregion 740 and reaches the measurement line 743. A physical line ormarking is not required on the base beverage container to indicate themeasurement line 743, so long as there is another means for measuringthe amount of first mix beverage to be poured from the first mixbeverage container 701 into the base beverage container, such as a line,a marking, or other indicator on at least one of the mix beveragecontainers 700, 701.

FIG. 7 c is a third illustration of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 7 aafter adding mix beverage from the first and second mix beveragecontainers 700, 701 to the first base beverage container 705. In thisembodiment, the second mix beverage (indicated by lines up-and-down) ispoured into the first base beverage container 705, mixing with themixture of first base beverage and base beverage (indicated by linesdiagonal and side-to-side) until the mixture of first mix beverage,second mix beverage, and base beverage creates a proportional andreproducible mixed drink (indicated by lines up-and-down, linesdiagonal, and lines side-to-side) fills the first region 740 and thesecond region 741, and reaches the top fill boundary 727. The top fillboundary 727 may correspond with the top 735 of the base beveragecontainers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725, 730, or it may be lower than top435. In this embodiment, the top fill boundary 727 does not correspondwith the top 735 of the base beverage containers 705. The top fillboundary 727 may be marked with a top fill line or other indicator onthe container, but a physical line or marking is not required on thebase beverage container, so long as there is another means for measuringthe amount of mix beverage to be poured from each mix beverage containerinto the base beverage container, such as a line, a marking, or otherindicator on at least one of the mix beverage containers 700, 701.

FIG. 7 d is a fourth illustration of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 7 aafter adding mix beverage from the first and second mix beveragecontainers 700, 701 to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth basebeverage containers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725. The first, second, third,fourth, and fifth base beverage containers 705, 710, 715, 720, 725contain a mixture of first mix beverage, second mix beverage, and basebeverage, creating a proportional and reproducible mixed drink(indicated by lines up-and-down, lines diagonal, and linesside-to-side). The remaining combined mix beverage volume in the firstand second mix beverage containers 700, 701 is equal to the volumeremaining in the sixth base beverage container 730 in the two regions740, 741 between short fill level 755 and top fill boundary 727.

The inventive beverage packing configuration provides added convenienceto dispensing mixed drinks by packing all components separately with theability of producing reproducible mixed drinks of the correctproportions, without the necessity of using a separate volumetricdispenser, cup, or container for measuring, mixing, or serving.

It is not expected that the invention be restricted to the exactembodiments disclosed herein. Modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the invented concept. For example, other numbers andrelative volumes or mix percentages than those listed can be used. Thescope of the invention should be construed in view of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A product configuration comprising: a numberbeing a plurality of base beverage containers, each containing a basebeverage, each said base beverage container having a top surface; a mixbeverage container, containing a mix beverage; a package designed tocontain said plurality of base beverage containers and said mix beveragecontainer; wherein; the base beverage containers are filled with basebeverage up to a short-fill level, wherein the short-fill level is notat the top surface of the base beverage container; the base beveragecontainer has a top fill boundary above the short-fill level; and volumeV1 of space between the short-fill level and the top fill boundary ineach base beverage container is equal to volume of mix beverage in themix beverage container divided substantially equally by the number ofbase beverage containers
 2. The product configuration of claim 1,wherein said top fill boundary corresponds with said top surface of saidbase beverage containers.
 3. The product configuration of claim 1,wherein said top fill boundary is lower than said top surface of saidbase beverage containers.
 4. The product configuration of claim 3,wherein said mix beverage container has a plurality of markings thereon,wherein said volumetric space between each two adjacent said markings issubstantially equal to V1.
 5. The product configuration of claim 1,wherein said mix beverage container and said plurality of base beveragecontainers are in a close packed configuration.
 6. The productconfiguration of claim 5, wherein said mix beverage container and saidplurality of base beverage containers are enclosed within externalpackaging.
 7. The product configuration of claim 1, wherein the basebeverage containers contain at least two different types of basebeverages.
 8. A product configuration comprising: a number being aplurality of base beverage containers, each containing a base beverage,each said base beverage container having a top surface; two mix beveragecontainers, each containing the same mix beverage a package designed tocontain said plurality of base beverage containers and said plurality ofmix beverage containers; wherein; the base beverage containers arefilled with base beverage up to a short-fill level, wherein theshort-fill level is not at the top surface of the base beveragecontainer; the base beverage container has a top fill boundary above theshort-fill level; and volume of the space between the short-fill leveland the top fill boundary in each base beverage container is equal tototal volume of mix beverage in the plurality of mix beverage containersdivided substantially equally by the number of base beverage containers.9. The product configuration of claim 8, wherein said top fill boundarycorresponds with said top surface of said base beverage containers. 10.The product configuration of claim 8, wherein said top fill boundary islower than said top surface of said base beverage containers.
 11. Theproduct configuration of claim 8, wherein said plurality of mix beveragecontainers have at least one marking thereon to indicate quantity of mixbeverage to pour into each base beverage.
 12. The product configurationof claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of mix beverage containerscontains an equal volume of mix beverage.
 13. A product configurationcomprising: a number being a plurality of base beverage containers, eachcontaining a base beverage, each said base beverage container having atop surface; a first mix beverage container containing a first mixbeverage, a second mix beverage container containing a second mixbeverage, said second mix beverage container having a top surface; apackage designed to contain said plurality of base beverage containersand said two mix beverage containers; wherein; the base beveragecontainers are filled with base beverage up to a short-fill level,wherein the short-fill level is not at the top surface of the basebeverage container; the base beverage container has a top fill boundaryabove the short-fill level; and the second mix beverage container isfilled with a second mix beverage up to a short-fill level, wherein theshort-fill level is not at the top surface of the mix beveragecontainer; the volume of space between the short-fill level and the topfill boundary in the second mix beverage container is equal to thevolume of first mix beverage in the first mix beverage container,wherein the entire first mix beverage can be poured into the second mixbeverage container to create a mixture of first and second mix beveragewhich has a total volume of mixture equal to the combined volume offirst mix beverage in the first mix beverage container and second mixbeverage in the second mix beverage container; the volume of spacebetween the short-fill level and the top fill boundary in each of thebase beverage containers is equal to said total volume of said mixtureof first and second mix beverage divided substantially equally by thenumber of base beverage containers; such that said mixture of first andsecond mix beverages can be poured into the space remaining in each ofthe base beverage containers, to create a proportional and reproduciblemixed drink in each base beverage container.
 14. The productconfiguration of claim 13, wherein said plurality of base beveragecontainers have at least one marking thereon to indicate the quantity ofmix beverage to pour into each base beverage.
 15. The productconfiguration of claim 13, wherein said plurality of mix beveragecontainers have at least one marking thereon to indicate the quantity ofmix beverage to pour into each base beverage.
 16. A productconfiguration comprising: a number being a plurality of base beveragecontainers, each containing a base beverage, each said base beveragecontainer having a top surface; a plurality of mix beverage containerseach containing a different mix beverage, wherein the different mixbeverages have a total combined volume; a package designed to containsaid plurality of base beverage containers and said plurality of mixbeverage containers; wherein; the base beverage containers are filledwith base beverage up to a short-fill level, wherein the short-filllevel is not at the top surface of the base beverage container; the basebeverage containers have a top fill boundary above the short-fill level;and the volume of space between the short-fill level and the top fillboundary in each of the base beverage containers is equal to the totalcombined volume of mix beverages divided substantially equally by thenumber of base beverage containers; such that the total combined volumeof mix beverages can be poured into the space remaining in each of thebase beverage containers, to create a proportional and reproduciblemixed drink in each base beverage container.
 17. The productconfiguration of claim 16, wherein said plurality of base beveragecontainers have at least one marking thereon to indicate the quantity ofmix beverage to pour into each base beverage.
 18. The productconfiguration of claim 16, wherein said plurality of mix beveragecontainers have at least one marking thereon to indicate the quantity ofmix beverage to pour into each base beverage.
 19. The productconfiguration of claim 16, wherein said top fill boundary correspondswith said top surface of said base beverage containers.
 20. The productconfiguration of claim 16, wherein said top fill boundary is lower thansaid top surface of said base beverage containers.
 21. The productconfiguration of claim 16, wherein the plurality of mix beveragecontainers is equal to two.